Be realistic. Don’t overcrowd your schedule
or your date book. If you are unsure whether or not you will be able
to accomplish a task, say so. If you are booking most of your day
with work and tasks, you won’t leave time for relaxation … or
for the unexpected.

Talk it out.Talking
about your problems, what makes you stressed, and how you are feeling,
is a helpful way of relieving stress. Keeping your concerns bottled
up often increases your stress levels. If you don’t think that
you have anyone who will listen to your problems, consider a healthcare
professional such as a therapist.

Take a break. It’s o.k. to go to lunch, or
to take a walk when you need one. By taking your mind out of a stressful
situation for a little while, you will be better able to concentrate
and succeed when you get back to work.

Exercise. Exercise has been linked with stress
relief because it helps you to distract yourself from your worries.
Also, exercise floods your body with endorphins, which is what causes
a “runner’s high” and can replace feelings of frustration
with positive feelings of accomplishment.

Eat right. Getting balanced meals, the right nutrients,
and a reliable source of energy in your body will help you to cope
with stress throughout your day. Also, by cutting own on sugars and
caffeine, you can alleviate some of the jittery feelings associated
with a stressful situation.

Meditate or pray. Some people really benefit from
mediation techniques or prayer rituals. These activities can help
people control their pulse, muscles and breathing in an effort to
relax the mind and body. You can meditate on your own, in a quiet
place through visualization or calm thoughts, or through organized
activities such as yoga, aromatherapy and hypnosis.

Do what works for you. When it comes down to it,
everybody’s body reacts differently to stress. And that means
that everybody’s body also copes with stress differently. If
you notice that the outdoors soothes you, then seek out a quiet outside
location to relax. If you’re a writer, keeping a journal might
help you deal with stress. Whatever you learn is best for you, it’s
important that you allow yourself time every day to de-stress with
your personalized method.

Avoid turning to drugs and alcohol. It’s
never a good idea to “self-medicate” to deal with stress.
Although you might think that this will help you forget about your
problems, your health and stress level will only increase. If you
find yourself regularly using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress,
you should see a counselor or talk with a professional about alternative
ways to handle stress.

Laugh. Recently, researchers have found connections
between humor and health. Humor is thought to be an effective mode
of stress relief and relaxation. If you feel overwhelmed with stress,
try watching a comedy or seeking out a particularly funny friend.
Even smiling could possibly help to alleviate a little stress from
your day. It certainly won’t hurt to try it.